Trend Naija

Ebonyi State governor Francis Nwifuru has promised President Bola Tinubu 80 per cent of the state's votes in the 2027 presidential election.

What he said

Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally in Abakaliki on Monday, 9 November 2026, Nwifuru told the President that Ebonyi was an APC state, that 80 per cent of its votes were assured for him and that he would win by a landslide.

Background

The rally is part of Tinubu's campaign tour of the South-East and South-South, which has included stops in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states in the past week. Several South-East governors have declared support for the President, and the APGA in Anambra has also adopted him as its candidate. The South-East, however, is the home region of NDC candidate Peter Obi, who won most of the region's votes in 2023, and his party has set ambitious targets of its own, including 98 per cent of Anambra's votes.

How people reacted

The governor's pledge drew mixed reactions on social media. Supporters of the President welcomed it, while others questioned whether any governor could guarantee how residents would vote.

What happens next

The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Government offices in Osun State were shut on Monday, 9 November 2026, as workers began a three-day strike over withheld allocations to local governments.

What happened

The gates of the state government secretariat and the House of Assembly in Osogbo were locked, with no workers or business activity at either, according to reports. Local government secretariats in Olorunda and Osogbo were also closed, and pupils in public schools in Osogbo were sent home after teachers joined the strike.

Why workers are striking

In a statement on Sunday, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by its chairman, Christopher Arapasopo, directed all affiliated unions to join the strike in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). The NLC said the action followed the expiry of a seven-day ultimatum to the federal and Osun state governments over the continued withholding of statutory allocations to local councils in the state, which it said remained unresolved.

Background

Osun's local governments have been at the centre of a long legal and political dispute over who controls the councils, which has led to federal allocations being withheld. Osun is governed by Ademola Adeleke, who has backed President Bola Tinubu's re-election.

The naira has gained ground against the US dollar over the past year, according to official exchange rate data.

The figures

The naira traded at about ₦1,346.79 to the dollar on 6 November 2026, compared with ₦1,436.74 on the same date in 2025, a gain of about ₦90, or 6.26 per cent, according to reports on Monday, 9 November. Nigeria's external reserves have risen to about $55.13 billion.

Why it matters

A stronger naira could reduce the cost of imported raw materials, machinery, medicines and other goods priced in foreign currency. However, how quickly that feeds through to lower prices for consumers depends on businesses passing on the savings.

Background

The naira lost much of its value after the government unified the exchange rate in 2023, when the official rate was about ₦461 to the dollar. The Central Bank of Nigeria has since taken steps to stabilise the foreign exchange market and improve dollar supply. The naira's performance has become a campaign issue: President Bola Tinubu said last week that it would have become worthless without his reforms, while the campaign of APM candidate Seyi Makinde said the President could not claim credit for a recovery after policies that weakened it.

Two hacking groups say they have obtained records from Russia's state statistics agency pointing to hundreds of thousands of Russian deaths in the war in Ukraine.

The claims

According to reports on Monday, 9 November 2026, the pro-Ukrainian group Silent Crow and the Belarusian Cyber Partisans said they accessed an internal database at Rosstat containing information from death certificates from February 2022 to August 2026. Silent Crow, which published the data, put the death toll at about 450,100, while the Belarusian Cyber Partisans, using a narrower method that counted only records naming military operations as the cause of death, put it at 393,881. The figures have not been independently verified.

Russia's response

Rosstat acknowledged that its systems were targeted between 29 October and 1 November but said no databases were compromised. Russia has banned both groups as 'extremist organisations'. Moscow has rarely given official figures for its military losses.

Background

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Independent estimates of Russian military deaths have varied widely, and both sides have been accused of under-reporting their own losses. The Belarusian Cyber Partisans also oppose the government of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Moscow.

Gunmen have reportedly killed a soldier and three residents, including a 15-year-old boy, in an attack on a village in Plateau State.

What happened

The attack took place at about 9pm on Sunday, 8 November 2026, in Bell village, Sho community, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. A resident said the attackers stormed the village and opened fire on residents, leaving some dead and others injured. A local youth association confirmed the killings, identifying three of the victims, aged 15, 28 and 32.

Official response

The police and the military had not publicly commented on the attack at the time of writing.

Background

Barkin Ladi and other parts of Plateau State have suffered repeated deadly attacks on rural communities in recent years. On Sunday, APM presidential candidate Seyi Makinde visited Angwan Rukuba in Jos North to console families of 33 people killed in an attack in March. Bishop David Oyedepo also warned politicians last week about the failure to stop killings and kidnappings.

The suspected gunman in a deadly shooting in the centre of Krakow, Poland, has died in hospital, police say.

What happened

The shooting took place in the city's Main Square on the afternoon of Saturday, 7 November 2026. Six people, four women and two men, were killed and about 16 others were injured, including visitors from the United Kingdom, Portugal, Russia, Germany and Austria. Police said the 24-year-old suspect was arrested on a nearby street after trying to escape in a car, and that two officers were injured in an exchange of fire. Three more bodies were found at his home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, about 150 kilometres from Krakow, and he is believed to have also killed three members of his own family.

The suspect dies

In an update on Monday, 9 November, regional police confirmed that the suspect had died in hospital that morning. He is believed to have used an AR-15-style rifle, and ammunition was recovered from his car. Authorities have not given a clear motive, but said he was fascinated by far-right ideologies.

Background

Mass shootings are rare in Poland, which has strict gun laws.

Kano State police say they have rescued the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Rogo Local Government Area, Abdullahi Alasan Beli, popularly known as Abdullahi Fanka, after 68 days in captivity.

The rescue

Commissioner of Police Adamu Bakori announced the rescue while briefing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at Government House, Kano, on Sunday, 8 November 2026, according to a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. The police chief said the rescue was achieved through coordinated tactical operations, and that the command would step up efforts against kidnapping.

His ordeal

Beli was abducted by armed men from his home in Beli community, Rogo LGA. After his release, he said his kidnappers moved him through several places, including Danja, Ikara and Giwa in Kaduna State, as well as parts of Zamfara State.

Reactions

Governor Yusuf commended the police for securing the release of the APC chieftain.

Background

Kidnapping for ransom has affected parts of Kano, especially areas bordering Katsina and Kaduna states. It was not disclosed whether any ransom was paid.

Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde, presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has visited Angwan Rukuba in Jos North, Plateau State, to console families of victims of a deadly attack earlier this year.

The visit

During the visit on Sunday, 8 November 2026, Makinde met residents at the home of the community head and described the killings as a national tragedy rather than a local matter. He urged the grieving community not to give up on Nigeria and assured them they were not alone. He also visited the family of Promise Gideon Ayuba, one of the victims, whose mother received him and prayed for him.

The attack

Armed men on motorcycles attacked the Gari Ya Waye area of the community on the evening of 29 March 2026, Palm Sunday, killing 33 people. The victim's mother, Favour Ayuba, drew national attention after a video showed her placing a cutlass in her son's coffin as a demand for justice. She was also among relatives who met former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby when he visited Plateau in September.

Background

Plateau State has suffered repeated deadly attacks in recent years, with communities in Jos and surrounding areas affected. Makinde is campaigning across the country ahead of the 16 January 2027 presidential election, and his campaign this week also criticised President Bola Tinubu's claims about the naira.

Gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, is being laid to rest in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday, 9 November 2026.

The arrangements

According to funeral details shared on the singer's official Instagram page, the lying-in-state was scheduled for 9am to 10am, followed by a burial service from 10am to 11am at an event centre on Hope Road, Alakia, Ibadan. The announcement did not say where he would be interred.

The dispute

Toluwanisings died in the early hours of 14 October 2026. His burial was delayed by weeks of disagreement between his widow and his family over the arrangements, reportedly including where he should be buried. The Oyo State Police Command stepped in after learning of the dispute on 28 October, with Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Abimbola helping the two sides reach an agreement.

The burial

Videos from Monday's ceremony showed pallbearers in black suits carrying the singer's white casket, led by trumpeters, before he was taken to his home, where a private burial was held. Some fans remarked on the absence of fellow gospel artistes at the ceremony.

Background

Toluwanisings was a Nigerian gospel singer. The public dispute over his burial attracted wide attention.

Socialite and businessman Cubana Chief Priest has replied Minister of Works David Umahi, a day after the minister mocked his famous "money na water" catchphrase and asked how many people he has given scholarships.

"Pharaoh, let my people go"

Borrowing from the Bible story of Moses and Pharaoh, Cubana Chief Priest gave the minister a new nickname, and accused him of making promises to President Bola Tinubu that he cannot deliver.

"Pharaoh, let my people go. Stop giving Tinubu fake promises on votes. What project are you using to convince South-East people to vote for him?" he said.

The governorship claim

He went further, claiming that Umahi is preparing his son to become governor of Ebonyi State after the current governor, Francis Nwifuru.

Speaking partly in Pidgin, he said, in effect: "You're busy preparing your son to be governor after Nwifuru. God won't let that happen. You want to use Ebonyi State to settle your child. Let the young man come and meet us on the street so we can teach him how to make 'money na water'."

This is Cubana Chief Priest's claim, and Umahi has not yet responded to this latest attack.

How it started

The exchange began weeks ago when Cubana Chief Priest described Umahi as the second-worst minister from the South-East. Umahi hit back by telling him he was "becoming very noisy", comparing him unfavourably with Dangote and Otedola, and asking, "How many people have you given scholarships?"

Now the socialite has turned the argument back to politics, questioning what Umahi has done to win South-East votes for the President.

Over to you

Who is winning this war of words: the minister or the socialite? And is Cubana Chief Priest right to question what the South-East has to show for supporting Tinubu?

US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his administration's immigration crackdown went too far, in a notable change of tone after his party's heavy losses in the midterm elections.

What he said

In an interview broadcast by the CBS programme '60 Minutes' on Sunday, 8 November 2026, Trump defended his record on border security and on removing dangerous criminals, but said he thought the crackdown had been too tough. He said the administration had suffered politically by deporting people who had stable jobs and had only committed immigration violations, and that this had hurt Republican candidates at the ballot box.

The election

Exit polls showed immigration was the third most important issue for voters, after the economy and the state of democracy. In traditionally conservative states such as Texas, a shift among Latino voters towards the Democrats contributed to their gains in Congress, where they are projected to control both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Background

Mass deportations became a defining policy of Trump's second term, drawing protests and legal challenges. Only days ago he promoted Stephen Miller, the architect of the deportation programme, to White House chief of staff, so it is unclear how far policy will change in practice. Groups of Nigerians have been among those deported, including six who arrived in Lagos last week.

The federal government has asked the World Bank for a $500 million loan to set up a platform to attract private investment into Nigerian infrastructure.

The loan

According to a World Bank project document updated on 4 November 2026 and reported on Monday, 9 November, the facility is part of a broader $3.85 billion programme called the Nigeria Infrastructure Financing and De-Risking Platform for Growth and Jobs, or INFRAGROW. The Federal Ministry of Finance is listed as the borrower and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) as the implementing agency. The aim is to reduce the risks that discourage private investors from funding infrastructure projects.

Why the bank says it is needed

The World Bank estimates that Nigeria has an infrastructure financing gap of about $100 billion a year, which holds back growth, competitiveness and job creation. It says the problem is not only a lack of money but also weak project preparation and difficulty turning proposals into commercially viable investments.

Background

The request comes as President Bola Tinubu also seeks Senate approval for about $7.7 billion in new external borrowing, and as government borrowing becomes a major campaign issue. NDC candidate Peter Obi has challenged the President to account for loans, while the Presidency says claims that it has borrowed ₦120 trillion are distorted. The World Bank reported last week that Nigeria's total external debt rose to about $145 billion in 2025.

The presidential campaign of Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde has criticised President Bola Tinubu's claims about the naira.

What the campaign said

In a statement reported on Monday, 9 November 2026, Richard Nnanna Ihediwa, director of strategic communications for the Makinde–Daura campaign, accused the President of trying to take credit for the naira's recent stability after policies that first caused a drastic fall in its value. He said the President could not preside over the destruction of the currency's purchasing power and then ask for applause. The campaign pointed out that the official exchange rate was about ₦461 to the dollar when Tinubu took office in May 2023, before the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of the exchange rate, and said marginal improvements offer little relief to people facing high inflation.

Background

The statement responds to Tinubu's remarks in Uyo last week, where he said the naira would have become worthless without his reforms and put the current rate at about ₦1,300 to the dollar. Makinde is the candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), with former DSS chief Lawal Musa Daura as his running mate, and recently launched his 'Reset Agenda' manifesto. The government has said the old official rate understated the true value of the dollar and that unification was needed.

What happens next

The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has responded to businessman Isaac Fayose after a video in which Fayose criticised young Nigerians and a pro-Tinubu walk.

What Fayose said

In a video posted on Instagram on Saturday, 7 November 2026, Fayose used footage from a City Boy Movement walk in Port Harcourt, led by Seyi Tinubu, to question why the President's son was accompanied by a large security team of police, DSS and civil defence officers. He described Nigerian youths who turned out to support the President's re-election as lazy and distracted, pointing to insecurity in Benue, Plateau and Kogi states, deportations from the United States and hostility towards Nigerians in other African countries.

Seyi Tinubu's response

Seyi Tinubu hit back, telling Fayose, whom he described as a content creator, to behave himself, according to reports on Monday, 9 November.

Background

The City Boy Movement is a youth group backing Tinubu's re-election, and Seyi Tinubu has become increasingly visible in the campaign, leading walks and meeting youth groups. Isaac Fayose, a businessman and brother of former Ekiti governor Ayodele Fayose, is known for outspoken videos on social media and recently claimed that AI-generated voters could affect the 2027 elections.

Celebrity chef Hilda Baci has spoken out against people who credit her success to her romantic partner rather than her own efforts.

What she said

In a video shared on Monday, 9 November 2026, the chef said such comments are sometimes upsetting and reveal the mindset of many people. Her remarks have sparked conversation about the tendency to link successful women's achievements to the men in their lives.

Background

Hilda Baci became a household name in 2023 when she set a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, cooking for about 93 hours in Lagos. She has since built a successful food and media business. Her relationship has often been discussed on social media.

How people reacted

Reactions were mixed. Some fans backed her, saying women deserve credit for their own work, while others joked online that her partner was better known because of her rather than the other way around.

Singer Portable has revealed how royalties from his breakthrough hit 'Zazoo Zehh' were shared.

What he said

In a video reported on Monday, 9 November 2026, Portable said rapper Olamide, who featured on the song, initially asked for 16 per cent because he contributed 16 bars, while the producer received 20 per cent. He said he later raised Olamide's share to 20 per cent because he felt 16 per cent was too small for an artiste of Olamide's status, and credited Olamide with helping him secure his royalties when the song came out. He said dancer Poco Lee received 30 per cent, and he kept 30 per cent for himself.

Background

'Zazoo Zehh', released in late 2021, became a massive street anthem and turned Portable, whose real name is Habeeb Okikiola, into one of Nigeria's most talked-about artistes. The remix featured Olamide and Poco Lee. Portable has since been involved in several controversies and public disputes, but remains popular with fans of street-pop music.

The opening of a new store by Priscilla Ojo, daughter of actress Iyabo Ojo, drew a crowd of celebrities in Lagos and some unexpected online debate.

The event

Guests at the launch, reported on Monday, 9 November 2026, included Priscilla's husband, Tanzanian singer Juma Jux, as well as Mercy Aigbe, content creator Enioluwa, fashion designer Veekee James and Funke Akindele. Videos showed Iyabo Ojo greeting Funke warmly when she arrived.

The moment that got people talking

A separate clip showed a brief interaction between Funke and fellow actress Toyosi Adesanya, who stood up with her husband to welcome her. Viewers were sharply divided over how the greeting played out, with the clip sparking wider conversation about friendships and etiquette among celebrities. Neither actress commented on the debate.

Background

Priscilla Ojo married Juma Jux in 2025 in widely publicised ceremonies in Lagos and Tanzania. Funke Akindele is one of Nollywood's most successful filmmakers, and her new film 'The Four' recently sold out its London premiere. Iyabo Ojo also recently spoke about how she fought to get Funke roles early in her career.

The Edo State Consumer Protection Committee says it has uncovered a site in Benin City where fake and chemically treated kpomo, the popular cow-skin delicacy, was being produced and sold.

What happened

The committee's chairman, Osaro Iyamu, said officials acted on a tip-off in the early hours of Monday, 9 November 2026, and raided a spot near Efehi Street in New Benin Market. He said two women were arrested with the products, while others ran away, and that some market women later admitted to the practice. The two suspects were handed to the police for further investigation.

The danger

Chemically treated food products can pose serious health risks, and fake kpomo has been a recurring concern in Nigerian markets.

Background

Kpomo is widely eaten across Nigeria in soups and stews. Regulators have previously urged consumers to buy food from trusted sources.

Singer Naira Marley has announced that his Marlians Fest concert is returning this December.

What he announced

In a long post on his social media pages on Sunday, 8 November 2026, the Marlian Records founder said the show will hold on 12 December at the Eagles Club Field in Surulere, Lagos, as part of the 'Detty December' season. He spoke about a difficult period in his life without going into detail, saying rumours and negative stories had circulated about him and that he had deliberately stepped back to find peace and heal. He described the concert as an event about growth, healing and moving forward, and dedicated it partly to everyone 'we have lost along the way'. He said friends would join him on stage and thanked supporters who stood by him.

Background

Naira Marley became one of Nigeria's most popular street-pop stars with songs such as 'Soapy' and 'Issa Goal'. He faced intense public criticism after the death of his former signee, Mohbad, in September 2023, when questions were raised about Mohbad's earlier complaints against the label. Naira Marley was arrested and questioned by police over the death and was later released; he has denied any wrongdoing, and no charges against him have been reported in connection with Mohbad's death. A coroner's inquest was held into the circumstances. This week, VeryDarkMan has also revived discussion of the Mohbad case during his feud with Davido, while Davido's aide denied any link between the singer and Naira Marley's troubles.

How people reacted

Davido was among those who liked the announcement on Instagram. Fans were divided, with some welcoming his return and others saying the wounds from Mohbad's death were still fresh.

Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko has been given a government appointment in Enugu State.

The appointment

According to reports on Sunday, 8 November 2026, Etiko has been appointed Senior Special Assistant on Youth Engagement and Creative Economy to Governor Peter Mbah. The actress, who is from Udi Local Government Area of the state, confirmed the news when she responded to a congratulatory post from fellow actress Sarah Martins.

Second Nollywood appointee

Etiko is the second prominent Nollywood figure to be appointed by the Mbah administration in a short period. Actress Rachael Okonkwo confirmed her own appointment as Senior Special Assistant on Films and Creative Industries earlier in November.

Background

Etiko publicly supported Mbah during his campaign ahead of the 2023 governorship election. She rose to prominence after the 2014 film 'Idemili' and has since built a successful career as an actress and producer. Mbah, who was elected on the PDP platform, has since moved to the APC and backs President Bola Tinubu's re-election.

How people reacted

Many fans and colleagues congratulated her while others had mixed reactions.

The Presidency has rejected viral social media claims that President Bola Tinubu's government has added ₦120 trillion to Nigeria's debt in its first three years.

What the Presidency said

In a statement on Sunday, 8 November 2026, the President's special assistant on social media, Dada Olusegun, described the figures as a distorted picture of the country's public finances. The claim came from a widely shared graphic saying that 16 previous Nigerian leaders borrowed a total of ₦46 trillion over 63 years, compared with ₦120 trillion under Tinubu.

The Presidency's argument

Olusegun said the ₦46 trillion figure, from late 2022, left out ₦22.7 trillion in Central Bank of Nigeria 'Ways and Means' overdrafts to the previous government, which were only formally added to the official public debt in May 2023. He also said earlier valuations of foreign debt used an official exchange rate of about ₦448 to the dollar, which understated the true naira value of those debts; when the exchange rate was unified, the naira value of existing foreign debt rose sharply even without new borrowing.

Background

The rebuttal came after NDC candidate Peter Obi challenged Tinubu to account for subsidy savings and more than $100 billion he said the government had borrowed. The World Bank reported last week that Nigeria's total external debt, including private debt, rose to about $145 billion in 2025. Tinubu is also seeking Senate approval for about $7.7 billion in new external loans, which opposition figures have urged lawmakers to reject.

Why it matters

Debt and the cost of living are expected to be major issues in the 16 January 2027 presidential election.

Ghanaian singer Efya has married Nigerian singer Tómi Thomas in a traditional ceremony in Accra.

The wedding

The 39-year-old singer and her 33-year-old partner married on Friday, 6 November 2026, surrounded by family, friends and well-known figures from Ghana's entertainment industry, according to reports. Guests reportedly included Ghana's Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, as well as Sister Derby, Fella Makafui, Hajia4Reall, Efia Odo and Kafui Danku.

Background

The wedding comes six years after Efya said publicly that she would never get married. The couple's relationship became public in February 2026, when their families held a knocking ceremony on Valentine's Day; their management later said that ceremony did not complete the traditional marriage rites. Efya, whose real name is Jane Awindor, is one of Ghana's best-known female vocalists. Tómi Thomas is a Nigerian singer and songwriter known for R&B and Afro-soul music.

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for governor, says the state government will enforce the legal limit on advance rent payments.

What he said

Speaking at a governorship debate organised by a coalition of media organisations on Sunday, 8 November 2026, Hamzat said the one-year cap on advance rent is already contained in the Lagos State Real Estate Registration Agency law passed in 2025, and that the focus now is making sure it is followed. He warned landlords against demanding two or three years' rent upfront, and said estate agents are required to register with the state and appear on an official database, urging residents to check it before dealing with agents.

The law

The Lagos State Tenancy Law of 2011 already makes it unlawful for landlords or their agents to demand more than one year's rent in advance from a new tenant, and limits advance payments from sitting tenants. Despite this, demands for two or more years' rent have remained a widespread concern.

Rhodes-Vivour's pitch

At the same debate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the governorship candidate of the opposition ADC, said APC governments in Lagos had focused on policies that favoured the elite for more than 20 years, while residents of poorer and rural communities did not feel the benefit of the state's high revenue. He promised more than 100,000 housing units, a safer and cleaner state, and technology-driven measures to end flooding.

Background

Hamzat is seeking to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the 2027 governorship election. Former governor Akinwunmi Ambode recently pledged to mobilise support for him. Housing costs are one of the biggest concerns for Lagos residents.

A house in Kano State has caught fire, with the incident being linked to its solar power installation.

Flames on the roof

Photos from the scene show thick smoke rising from the roof of a two-storey building, with flames breaking through beside a row of solar panels. A man can be seen climbing up to an upper-floor balcony as a crowd of neighbours gathers below, some filming on their phones and others watching in shock.

A growing safety concern

The incident raises serious concerns about the safety of solar installations, especially as more Nigerians turn to solar energy because of unreliable electricity supply.

Poor wiring, faulty batteries, overloaded inverters and improper installation can all create fire hazards. Experts often advise homeowners to use qualified installers, buy certified equipment and have their systems checked regularly.

Cause not yet confirmed

The exact cause of this particular fire has not yet been independently confirmed.

Over to you

As more Nigerians embrace solar power, are we paying enough attention to proper installation and safety checks?

The Ghanaian community in the United States has been thrown into mourning again following the disturbing discovery of the body of 24-year-old Joseph Owusu, a talented church musician who lived in the Bronx, New York.

Found in a bag on the sidewalk

Owusu's body was discovered inside a large black bag left near a trash can on a sidewalk in Brooklyn on 30 October 2026.

CCTV footage shows two unidentified people taking the bag out of a white car, leaving it by the roadside and driving away.

Who was Joseph Owusu?

The young man was the organist at the Ghana United Methodist Church in the Bronx. He was also studying computer science and worked as a caregiver for people living with disabilities.

A family demands answers

His devastated family is demanding justice as investigators work to establish how he died and who abandoned his body. Ghana's embassy in the United States has confirmed his death, and the Ghanaian government has called on US authorities to ensure those responsible are found and brought to justice.

Two young lives in days

The tragedy came just a day after another young Ghanaian, 15-year-old Javits Frimpong, was shot dead while walking to school in the Bronx.

Two young Ghanaians, two heartbreaking deaths in New York within days. Both families are now waiting for answers.

Over to you

What is happening to these young African lives in America, and what more should be done to protect them?

A group of suspected thieves in South Africa has become the talk of social media after they were reportedly caught and subjected to an unusual form of punishment.

The viral video

The suspects were made to lie face down on the ground in a single line by the side of a road, with each person's face pressed against the backside of the man in front of him. Their hands appear to be tied behind them.

Reports say they were caught by locals, although a uniformed officer can also be seen standing beside the men in the footage, so it is not clear whether the police or members of the public arranged them that way.

Laughter and concern

The incident has sparked mixed reactions online. Many people found the punishment hilarious, joking that South Africans seem to have invented a brand-new style of discipline.

Others were less amused, questioning whether suspects should be humiliated in public before any court has found them guilty, and whether members of the public should ever take the law into their own hands.

What we don't know

The circumstances of the incident, including where and when it happened and what the men are accused of stealing, have not been independently verified.

Over to you

Is this kind of public humiliation going too far, or will it discourage stealing?

Amnesty International has strongly condemned the reported killing of 12 members of a family in Zamfara State, describing the horrifying incident as another painful reminder of the Nigerian authorities' failure to protect innocent citizens from violent attacks.

An entire family wiped out

Imagine an entire family wiped out in such a cruel way. Twelve human beings, reportedly burned alive. People who had their own dreams, responsibilities and hopes for tomorrow, only to have their lives cut short in circumstances no family should ever experience.

The tragedy has once again raised serious questions about the worsening security situation in parts of northern Nigeria, where many families live under the constant threat of armed attacks, kidnappings and killings.

A failure to protect

For Amnesty International, the incident reflects a much bigger problem: the continued inability of the authorities to guarantee the safety of communities that have suffered attack after attack.

For years, residents of Zamfara and neighbouring states have endured violence from armed groups. Villages have been raided, homes destroyed, residents abducted and families forced to abandon communities where they have lived for generations.

Despite repeated assurances from government officials and security agencies, reports of fresh atrocities keep emerging.

Every citizen deserves protection

The Nigerian government has a constitutional duty to protect lives and property. That duty extends to every citizen, whether they live in Abuja, Lagos, Zamfara or a remote village far from the attention of the national media.

The victims deserve justice, and their surviving relatives deserve more than another round of official condolences. There must be a thorough investigation, those responsible must be brought to justice, and the authorities must take meaningful steps to prevent similar tragedies.

A country cannot claim to be making progress when families are being burned alive in their homes and communities are left wondering who will be attacked next.

Over to you

How many more innocent lives must be lost before protecting ordinary citizens becomes the government's most urgent priority?

Former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa has explained why he abandoned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to support President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.

What he said

Speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, 7 November 2026, Okowa reportedly said he had 'seen the light'. He argued that Tinubu inherited a country with foundations weakened by decades of mismanagement, and that the current administration was making tough but necessary decisions to fix them. He credited the government's fiscal reforms with increasing the revenue shared with states and local governments, saying the results could be seen in better project delivery and salary payments. He also compared Tinubu's record as Lagos governor with his performance as President, saying the same transformation was now happening across the country.

Background

Okowa was Atiku's vice-presidential running mate on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in the 2023 election, which Tinubu won. He later left the PDP for the APC, following his successor in Delta, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Atiku is now the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), although a Federal High Court ruling last week voided his nomination, a decision the party has appealed. At the same rally, Tinubu questioned how Atiku built a university while he was vice-president, prompting a sharp reply from Atiku's campaign.

What happens next

Atiku's campaign had not publicly responded to Okowa's remarks at the time of writing. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Six Nigerians deported from the United States have arrived in Lagos, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says.

What happened

In a statement on its X account on Sunday, 8 November 2026, NEMA said the five men and one woman, all adults, landed at the cargo terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja at about 10.13pm on Wednesday, 4 November, aboard a small chartered aircraft. NEMA's Lagos office received them in partnership with the US Consulate, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigeria Immigration Service and an aviation services company. Immigration officers documented and profiled each returnee before clearing them, and NEMA said it coordinated support to help them resettle.

Background

The deportations are part of the United States' wider crackdown on undocumented migrants under President Donald Trump, whose administration has carried out mass removals, often on chartered flights. Groups of Nigerians have been returned on several occasions over the past year. The agency did not give the reasons for the individual deportations. Trump this week named Stephen Miller, the architect of his deportation programme, as White House chief of staff.

What happens next

NEMA said the federal government would continue to work with other agencies to manage the return of Nigerians from abroad in an orderly and dignified way.

There is good news from Ogun State: all 10 passengers abducted from a commercial bus at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, have regained their freedom.

Released unharmed

The passengers were taken on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. Police say they were released unharmed on the night of Saturday, 7 November, following sustained security pressure and intelligence-led efforts.

Suspect killed, weapons and cash recovered

During a follow-up operation, police say one suspected kidnapper was killed. An AK-47 rifle, ammunition, ₦1.37 million in cash and a mobile phone were reportedly recovered.

Photos of the recovered items show bundles of naira notes, an AK-47 magazine and a mobile phone laid out on the ground in the bush.

Questions still unanswered

Police have not said whether any ransom was paid for the passengers' release.

Reports also differ on whether any of the passengers was a serving or recently discharged member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Safe at last

The most important update is that all 10 passengers are alive and safely out of captivity, after five days that must have been terrifying for them and their families.

The incident is another reminder of the danger travellers face on Nigeria's highways, and of the need for security agencies to keep up pressure on kidnapping gangs.

Over to you

What more should be done to make Nigeria's highways safe for travellers?

Nigeria's Flamingos have received a $50,000 cash reward after winning the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, but the team will not receive any official prize money from FIFA.

The reward

The gift was presented by Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, a sponsor of the National Sports Commission (NSC), at a reception held in the team's honour in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday night, 7 November 2026, according to reports. The event was hosted by NSC chairman Shehu Dikko and director-general Bukola Olopade, and was also attended by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. The sponsor said the gift recognised the players' outstanding performance, commitment and determination.

No FIFA prize money

FIFA classifies the U-17 Women's World Cup as a developmental tournament and does not attach official prize money to it, unlike the senior World Cups. That means the champions receive the trophy and medals but no payment from world football's governing body.

How the final was won

The Flamingos beat Japan 2-1 in the final on Saturday. Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring when her looping effort slipped through the hands of Japan's goalkeeper, and Oluebube Umejiaku doubled the lead with a lob after a through ball from Esther Stephen. Japan's Fuki Ito pulled one back with ten minutes left, but Nigeria held on to become the first African winners of the tournament.

President Bola Tinubu has fixed 3 December 2026 for the inauguration of completed sections of two major railway projects in northern Nigeria.

The projects

According to a statement on Sunday, 8 November 2026, by Dele Alake, spokesman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, the 203-kilometre Kaduna–Kano Standard Gauge Railway is about 90 per cent complete, while the 400-kilometre Kano–Katsina–Maradi line, which will link Nigeria with the Republic of Niger, is about 70 per cent complete. The 190-kilometre Jaji-to-Kano segment of the Kaduna–Kano line and the 250-kilometre Dawanu–Kano–Kazaure–Daura–Katsina stretch of the Kano–Maradi line are due to be inaugurated on 3 December.

Progress claims

The statement said that when Tinubu took office in 2023, the Kano–Maradi project was barely 5 per cent complete and the Kaduna–Kano line under 30 per cent. It said a federal inspection team led by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Funso Adebiyi, recently assessed both corridors and carried out a test run. The figures come from the President's campaign and have not been independently verified.

Background

The Kaduna–Kano line is part of the planned Lagos–Kano standard gauge railway, which already runs from Lagos to Ibadan and from Abuja to Kaduna. The Kano–Maradi project was started under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Why it matters

The inauguration will come just weeks before the 16 January 2027 presidential election, and infrastructure is a key part of the President's re-election campaign.

The Lagos State Government has sealed a church in Surulere over noise pollution.

What happened

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said on his X account on Sunday, 8 November 2026, that All Christians Gathering Ministry, located off Clegg Street in Surulere, had been shut and would remain closed until further notice. He said the action followed a complaint from a resident on X about noise from the church, and that officials investigated and confirmed the complaint was valid, finding the church in breach of environmental regulations. The sealing took place on Sunday morning.

No exceptions

Wahab said the government would not soften its position on such violations, whether the offender is a religious body, a business or anyone else.

Background

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has sealed many churches, mosques, hotels, clubs and event centres in recent years over noise pollution, often after complaints on social media. Wahab is known for responding publicly to residents' complaints online. Just this week, another Lagos resident cried out to the commissioner over noise from a church at midnight.

Social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) has continued his public exchange with singer Zlatan Ibile, daring him to openly deny claims that he secretly sent celebrities to plead with VDM over their ongoing disagreement.

"Just come out and say it's a lie"

Speaking partly in Pidgin, VDM said, in effect: "It's been over 24 hours since I dared Zlatan to come out and say I'm lying that he sent people to beg me. He acts like a hard guy in public, but does something else behind the scenes."

"Just come out and say it's a lie, simple! Let me call out the names of the celebrities you sent. If they deny it too, then you'll see what my next post will be."

He added that he was only holding back out of respect for Zlatan's parents: "It's because your mother and father are involved. We still respect parents here. If not, everyone would already know that you have no class."

Tough in public, soft in private?

VDM claims Zlatan is acting tough in public while making moves behind the scenes to settle the matter, and has threatened to name the celebrities he says were sent if Zlatan stays silent.

The feud began after a video of Davido singing a line from Zlatan's song INFERNO at Zlatan's wedding welcome party in Morocco, a lyric VDM believes was aimed at him. VDM then warned Zlatan that he would "learn the hard way".

Allegations, not facts

For now, these remain VeryDarkMan's claims. Zlatan has not responded publicly, and his silence does not confirm them.

Over to you

Will Zlatan respond, or will he let VDM keep controlling the conversation?

"You're becoming very noisy. Money na water. How much do you have? Have you ever seen Dangote saying, 'I have money,' or Otedola saying that he's rich? Money speaks for itself. It's not by saying money na water. What have you done? How many people have you given scholarships?"

Those were the strong words of Nigeria's Minister of Works, David Umahi, as he fired back at Cubana Chief Priest, weeks after the celebrity businessman described him as the second-worst minister from the South-East.

"Money speaks for itself"

The criticism clearly did not go down well with the former Ebonyi State governor, who has now turned the conversation towards wealth, public conduct and what rich people are doing to improve the lives of others.

Umahi questioned the constant public display of wealth, particularly the expression "money na water" (meaning money flows like water), which Cubana Chief Priest is widely known for.

He pointed to two of Nigeria's richest businessmen, Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola, and asked whether Nigerians regularly hear them announcing how much money they have. For Umahi, genuine wealth should speak through achievements, investments and contributions to society, not constant declarations on social media.

The scholarship question

The line that stands out most is his question: "How many people have you given scholarships?"

That question takes the argument beyond who has more money. It raises a different issue entirely: what impact are wealthy Nigerians making in the lives of ordinary people?

Two different conversations

Cubana Chief Priest has every right to criticise a public officeholder, and Umahi, as a serving minister, is equally entitled to respond. But criticism of a minister's performance is ultimately best answered with evidence of work done, projects completed and results delivered.

That is what makes this exchange interesting. Umahi is questioning Cubana Chief Priest's display of wealth, while the original criticism was about Umahi's performance as Minister of Works. These are two different conversations, and Nigerians will have their opinions on both.

Over to you

Does Cubana Chief Priest need to prove how many people he has helped before he can criticise a serving minister? Or should Umahi focus on defending his performance in office rather than questioning another man's wealth?

Twelve members of one family have reportedly been killed in an attack by bandits on a village in Zamfara State.

What happened

The attack took place late on Saturday, 7 November 2026, in Gidan Taba village, Dosara Birnin Kaya ward, in Maradun Local Government Area, according to residents. A resident said the head of the family had gathered his relatives into a single room to try to stop them from being kidnapped. When the attackers found the family and they refused to come out, the bandits reportedly set the building on fire, and all 12 people inside died. An unknown number of other residents were reportedly abducted during the raid. The victims were buried according to Islamic rites on Sunday morning.

Official response

The police and the Zamfara State Government had not publicly commented on the attack at the time of writing.

Background

Zamfara is one of the states worst affected by banditry in Nigeria's North-West, with armed groups carrying out killings, mass kidnappings and attacks on farming communities. Last week, bandits ambushed a bus carrying police officers on the Sokoto–Gusau road, reportedly killing and abducting some of them. Security forces have carried out repeated operations in the state's forests, but attacks on villages continue.

Rotimi Amaechi, the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has warned that the court ruling against the party's leadership could cause serious unrest if it is not handled carefully.

What he said

In comments reported on Sunday, 8 November 2026, Amaechi said the judgment that nullified the party's leadership and the process that produced Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate could lead to civil war if the dispute is not properly managed. He did not set out in detail how he believed the crisis should be resolved.

The ruling

On Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the national working committee led by former Senate President David Mark was invalid. The judgment also nullified the emergence of former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, and decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including the process that produced Atiku as candidate. The court directed INEC not to recognise decisions taken at the party's national executive committee meeting of 27 July 2025. The suit was filed by Nafiu Gombe, a former deputy national chairman of the party.

Background

The ADC has appealed the judgment and asked INEC not to act on it until the appeal is heard. Atiku has vowed to stay in the race and accused the government of using the courts against the opposition. Amaechi, a former Rivers governor and transport minister, this week also said former President Muhammadu Buhari had promised in writing to back him in 2022.

What happens next

Attention is now on the Court of Appeal and on how INEC responds before the presidential election on 16 January 2027.

Nigerian striker Gift Orban has moved ahead of Victor Osimhen in the race to be top scorer in Turkey's Süper Lig.

The goal

Orban scored his 10th league goal of the season for Amedspor in their 4-3 defeat away to Galatasaray, reported on Sunday, 8 November 2026. After a quiet first half, the former Lyon striker headed home from close range from a cross by substitute Furkan Soyalp. Another Nigerian, Yira Sor, also scored for Amedspor after coming off the bench, but Galatasaray held on to win.

The scoring race

The goal took Orban to 10 goals and five assists in 11 league appearances, one more goal than Osimhen, who has nine goals and three assists in eight league games. Osimhen missed the match after having knee surgery on Saturday to remove a loose body from his left knee, and is expected to be out for at least three weeks.

Background

Orban joined Amedspor on loan in the summer transfer window. He made his name at Belgian club Gent, where he scored freely, before moving to Lyon. Osimhen, the 2023 African Player of the Year, has been out of action since the Champions League win over Stuttgart. Both are Super Eagles strikers, and with Osimhen ruled out of the AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania this month, Orban's form will interest Nigeria's coaching staff.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says two oil tankers caught fire after hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

What Iran said

In a statement carried by Iran's state news agency on Sunday, 8 November 2026, the Guards said one tanker struck a mine in the eastern part of the strait and the other elsewhere in the waterway, while trying to cross using routes not authorised by Tehran. The statement did not name the vessels or give their nationalities, and accused them of violations including switching off their navigation and tracking systems. There was no independent confirmation of the incidents or of any casualties.

Background

Iran has sharply restricted shipping through the strait since a war began in late February, requiring ships to follow routes it has approved. The United States responded with a naval blockade of Iranian ports and has helped tankers pass through the waterway, which normally carries about a fifth of the world's oil. Iran has reported several ships catching fire in the strait in recent weeks. The incident comes days after US forces struck an Iranian air defence site on Qeshm Island, an operation President Donald Trump described as minor.

Why it matters

Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz affects global oil supply and prices, which in turn affect Nigeria's oil revenue and the cost of imported fuel.

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on President Bola Tinubu to account for money saved from the removal of the fuel subsidy and from government borrowing.

What Obi said

In a statement on his X account on Saturday, 7 November 2026, titled 'Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability', Obi said the large sums flowing into government coffers, including higher tax revenues, should be producing clear improvements in Nigerians' daily lives. He urged the President to visit the remaining 33 states he has not yet toured, spend time with the people and explain what his administration had done with the ₦15.8 trillion he said had been saved from subsidy removal, the more than $100 billion he said had been borrowed, and increased revenue from taxes.

The background to the exchange

Obi's statement came a day after Tinubu, speaking in Akwa Ibom, criticised the former Anambra governor's record on erosion in the state. At a reception in Uyo the same day, Tinubu said the naira would have become worthless without his reforms and that Nigeria would never go back to the subsidy. Vice-President Kashim Shettima also told an APC rally in Uyo that Obi had run himself out of the race.

The figures

Obi did not give a breakdown of how he arrived at the figures. The World Bank reported this week that Nigeria's total external debt, including private-sector debt, rose to about $145 billion in 2025. The government says its borrowing is needed to fund infrastructure and that its reforms have saved the economy from collapse.

What happens next

The Presidency had not publicly responded to Obi's statement at the time of writing. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has questioned what he sees as growing political hostility towards Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate and Labour Party candidate in 2023, particularly from prominent politicians in the South-East.

A tale of two regions

Ogene drew attention to what he described as a striking difference between the political atmosphere in the South-West and the South-East ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, governors and ministers from the South-West are not publicly attacking Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his perceived presidential ambition, even though he could challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

In the South-East, however, he questioned why Minister of Works David Umahi and Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo keep directing criticism at Obi, even though neither of them is contesting the presidency against him.

"Southwest governors and ministers are not attacking Seyi Makinde for contesting against Tinubu, but Umahi and Soludo keep attacking Peter Obi even when none of them is contesting. That's political immaturity," Ogene said.

Rivalry or genuine criticism?

His remarks raise a wider question about the nature of political rivalry in Nigeria, particularly in the South-East, where disagreements among prominent figures often attract public attention.

Why should politicians who are not directly competing against Obi appear more concerned about his political future than those who may eventually face him at the ballot box?

For Ogene, the issue goes beyond ordinary disagreement. His criticism suggests some leaders may be letting personal rivalry and party differences overshadow mutual respect.

The comparison with the South-West is particularly interesting. Despite belonging to different parties and having different presidential interests, leaders in that region have often managed their disagreements while keeping working relationships.

Obi is not above scrutiny

Every politician has the right to criticise another, and Obi, as an active national figure, is equally open to public scrutiny. Umahi has recently questioned whether Obi is better than him or Pius Anyim, while Soludo has backed President Tinubu. Ogene's argument raises the question of whether such criticism is based on genuine policy differences or unnecessary rivalry.

Political disagreements are unavoidable in a democracy, but how leaders handle them says a great deal about their political maturity.

Over to you

Do you agree with Hon. Ogene that South-East leaders are unnecessarily attacking Peter Obi, or are Umahi and Soludo simply exercising their right to criticise a fellow politician?

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has responded to President Bola Tinubu over questions about his investment in education, insisting that the foundation of his educational institution was laid long before he became Vice-President.

Atiku's response

Atiku, who served as Vice-President from 1999 to 2007, said the suggestion that he established a university with resources acquired while in public office was misleading.

According to him, his journey into education began in 1993, when he established ABTI Academy, six years before he took office as Vice-President under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He made the clarification after remarks attributed to President Tinubu questioning how he was able to set up a university while serving in government.

Why the dates matter

Atiku maintained that his investment in education was part of his business activities before he entered the country's second-highest office. By the time he became Vice-President in May 1999, he says, he had already begun building what would eventually grow into a major private institution.

That institution later became the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, Adamawa State. The university itself was established in the mid-2000s, during his time as Vice-President, which is why questions about its funding and expansion continue to come up.

Atiku also insisted that his business activities and investments are open to public scrutiny, and that anyone genuinely interested in the source and history of his wealth can examine his record.

A growing rivalry

The exchange adds another chapter to the rivalry between President Tinubu and the former Vice-President, two prominent figures whose differences have shaped several national debates.

Beyond the personal disagreement, the controversy raises a question Nigerians have long asked of their leaders: how did those who held public office acquire their wealth, and can they give a clear account of their investments?

The fact that an educational project began before someone took office does not, on its own, settle every question about its funding or later expansion. Those questions would require documentary evidence and a proper look at the institution's financial history.

The road to 2027

As activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather pace, exchanges like this between leading political figures are likely to attract even more attention.

For now, Atiku has made his position clear: his educational investment began in 1993, well before he became Vice-President, and he is prepared to have his business record examined.

Over to you

Should Nigerian politicians be required to publicly explain how they funded their major investments, regardless of when those investments began?

Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has reportedly expressed regret over his decision to trust former President Muhammadu Buhari during the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket in 2022.

The promise

According to the statement attributed to Amaechi, Buhari had promised him the party's presidential ticket, a promise he now regrets believing.

The claim raises fresh questions about the political arrangements and behind-the-scenes discussions that took place before the APC primary that eventually produced Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party's candidate.

Buhari died in July 2025, so he is no longer able to respond to Amaechi's account.

How the 2022 race played out

Amaechi was among the prominent politicians who contested the ticket in 2022. Despite being a serving minister in Buhari's government and a close associate of the President, he lost the primary to Tinubu.

As the sitting President and leader of the ruling party at the time, Buhari's influence was considerable, although the final decision rested with the party's delegates.

Loyalty without reward

For Amaechi, the disappointment appears to go beyond losing an election. His comments suggest he believed he had received an assurance from someone whose word carried enormous political weight.

That points to one of the oldest lessons in Nigerian politics: loyalty does not always guarantee reward.

Amaechi served under Buhari for nearly seven years as Minister of Transportation, and he was one of the key figures who helped build the coalition that brought the APC to power in 2015. Yet when his chance came to seek the presidency, things did not turn out as he had apparently expected.

The questions that remain

Did Buhari actually make such a commitment, and if he did, what happened between that promise and the primary?

Was Amaechi politically outplayed, or did he place too much confidence in a promise that was never guaranteed?

Whatever the answer, his regret offers another glimpse into the complicated world of Nigerian party politics, where today's allies can have very different interests when power is at stake.

Over to you

Do you believe Buhari promised Amaechi the ticket, and was he right to trust him?

What was meant to be a moment of political mobilisation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly took an unexpected turn at the Item Okpi cultural festival in Aba, Abia State, when members of the crowd began chanting the name of Peter Obi.

"Obi! Obi! Obi!"

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, was addressing a large gathering at the cultural event when he turned to national politics and began appealing to the people to support President Tinubu.

The response from sections of the audience was not what he appeared to be hoping for. As Kalu spoke in support of the President, loud chants of "Obi! Obi! Obi!" reportedly rose from the crowd.

Even when the Deputy Speaker repeated the familiar declaration, "On your mandate we shall stand," the chants continued, creating an unusual scene in which the politician's message and the crowd's response seemed to be moving in opposite directions.

Why it matters

The moment has drawn attention because of Abia State's political significance and the continuing debate about the popularity of Nigeria's major political figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Peter Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party and is now the NDC presidential candidate, continues to command a strong following in sections of the electorate, particularly in the South-East.

For Kalu, an influential APC politician from Abia State, the incident highlights the challenge of promoting the ruling party's candidate in a region where political loyalties remain divided.

A cultural festival turned political

Chants from a crowd at a cultural gathering are not a scientific measure of how a state or region will vote. But public reactions like this can still offer a glimpse into the political conversations happening among ordinary Nigerians.

What makes this incident stand out is the setting. The gathering was mainly a cultural celebration, yet it became a scene of competing political expressions once the Deputy Speaker raised the subject of presidential support.

Over to you

Were the chants simply a spontaneous reaction from enthusiastic Obi supporters, or a sign of wider political sentiment in the area? One thing is clear: Ben Kalu was talking about Tinubu, but some voices in the crowd wanted to talk about Obi.

Nigeria's under-17 women's team, the Flamingos, are world champions after beating Japan 2-1 in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, 7 November 2026.

The match

Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, and Oluebube Umejiaku doubled the advantage two minutes after half-time, in the 47th minute. Japan pulled a goal back through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, but the Flamingos held on to claim the trophy.

History made

The victory makes Nigeria the first African country to win the competition, and gives the country its first FIFA world title in women's football at any level. Before this tournament, the Flamingos' best finish was third place in 2022. They reached the final by beating Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final, a match in which Bashiru also scored twice, while Japan beat North Korea on penalties in their semi-final.

Background

Japan came into the final as one of the strongest teams in youth women's football, having won the tournament in 2014 and finished as runners-up in 2010 and 2016. CAF president Patrice Motsepe had travelled to Rabat to watch the final after praising the Flamingos for making Africa proud. Before the match, captain Harmony Chidi said the team was determined to bring the trophy home.

What happens next

The win comes as the senior Super Eagles prepare for their AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania next week.

The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), ordered the return of billions of naira donated to a church project after learning that the money came from crime.

What he said

Speaking to RCCG workers early on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at a meeting held ahead of the church's annual Holy Ghost Congress, Olukoyede said Adeboye directed that the money be refunded within 24 hours of being told where it came from. He praised the pastor for acting quickly. According to reports, he did not name the donor, say which project the money was meant for, or give the exact amount.

Warning to churches

Olukoyede, who is himself an ordained pastor, said Adeboye had invited him to speak to the workers about financial accountability and keeping transparent records. He expressed concern about a growing number of cases involving church leaders in financial crimes and about allegations linked to contract awards for church projects.

Background

The RCCG is one of Nigeria's largest churches, and its Holy Ghost Congress draws huge crowds to the Redemption Camp on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway every December.

Women in Ishiagu community, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have reportedly taken an unusual step to show their anger over domestic violence, publicly parading a man accused of repeatedly beating his wife.

Pushed around in a wheelbarrow

According to reports circulating online, the women placed the man in a wheelbarrow and pushed him around the community, apparently determined to make an example of him over his alleged treatment of his wife.

Photos show a large group of women surrounding the man, who sits in the wheelbarrow in a yellow T-shirt as several women push and guide it along a dirt path, with one carrying a calabash.

"Enough is enough"

The incident has drawn attention because of the unusual punishment the women chose. They appeared to have reached a point where they could no longer tolerate the alleged abuse.

In many communities, domestic violence is still treated as a private family matter, and victims are sometimes encouraged to endure abuse for the sake of their marriage. The women of Ishiagu reportedly decided that enough was enough.

Justice or humiliation?

Their action raises an important question about how communities should respond when a woman is repeatedly subjected to violence in her own home.

Many people may applaud the women for standing up against domestic abuse. Others may question whether publicly humiliating an accused person, who has not been tried, is the right approach.

The full circumstances of the incident, including the man's side of the story and whether the authorities have stepped in, remain unclear.

Over to you

Do you support what the women of Ishiagu reportedly did, or should they have handed the man over to the police instead? Was this community justice, or public humiliation taken too far?

Socialite Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, says leaving Nigeria was one of the best decisions of their life.

What Bobrisky said

In an Instagram post on Saturday, 7 November 2026, Bobrisky described Nigeria as a toxic environment where a new drama, piece of gossip or fight springs up every day. The socialite said life since relocating had been peaceful and that they would not give up that peace.

Background

Bobrisky left Nigeria in November 2024 after a public row with the federal government over claims about the conditions under which a six-month jail sentence for abusing the naira had been served. The sentence was handed down in April 2024 after Bobrisky pleaded guilty to spraying and mutilating naira notes. Allegations that the socialite had served part of the sentence outside prison led to a government investigation and a dispute with activist VeryDarkMan, who first raised the claims. Bobrisky was stopped at the Seme border while trying to leave the country in October 2024 before eventually relocating.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and his Rainbow Coalition campaign have got people talking again, this time after he appeared visibly angry at the presidential campaign ground in Rivers State.

Counting heads

Wike was reportedly seen checking how many people each of his aides had brought to the venue. Photos show the minister, in his black and red hat and a rainbow "Coalition" sash bearing the APC logo, deep in conversation with aides and looking far from amused.

One can only feel sorry for any aide who collected mobilisation money and failed to deliver the expected crowd.

The turnout question

The expectation may have been a stadium filled to capacity, but the turnout has now become a talking point on social media.

That brings us to Peter Obi, whose supporters often describe his campaign crowds as organic, with people attending out of personal conviction rather than financial inducement.

Can anyone fill a stadium for free?

Crowd mobilisation, from buses to refreshments to small payments, has long been a feature of Nigerian political rallies across parties. Large crowds make for impressive pictures, but they do not always reflect how people will vote.

So one question remains: can any Nigerian politician genuinely fill a stadium without spending money on crowd mobilisation?

Nigerian politics will never stop surprising us.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara a strong personal assurance, telling him he will not regret the decision he has taken.

What Tinubu said

"Fubara, you will not regret what you have done as long as all of us are alive," the President said during his presidential campaign rally in the state.

Photos from the rally show Fubara smiling beside FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, both wearing red caps bearing Tinubu's image, a striking picture given the long-running feud between the two men.

Why the words matter

The statement is attracting attention because of the political tension that has surrounded Rivers State and the long-running power struggle between Governor Fubara and his political opponents.

For anyone who has followed Rivers politics closely, those words carry real weight. Fubara has faced some of the toughest political battles of his administration, with fights over political loyalty, control of the state legislature and the influence of powerful figures shaping events in the state.

A sacrifice, a deal, or a new understanding?

With the President offering such a personal assurance, questions are being raised. The President did not spell out exactly what decision he was referring to, or what he intends to do for the governor in return.

Was Tinubu acknowledging a major political sacrifice by Fubara? Was he reassuring him over a difficult decision? Or could this signal a new understanding within the political leadership of Rivers State ahead of 2027?

Over to you

What do you think Fubara has done, and what do you think the President has in store for him?